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Originally Posted by repent
thanks for the article.
one of my favorite horses in the world.
Repent
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One of the greatest.....
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Wednesday trackwork photos.....
http://www.hkjc.com/english/news/news_2006120614755.htm
... and notes...
6 December 2006
Cathay Pacific Hong Kong Cup
PRIDE (FR)
Worked at half pace on the turf for her work rider in 27.0 for the final 400m, according to Turf Timers.
Alain de Royer Dupre, trainer:
"She's like red wine, a Bordeaux: she keeps getting better! Watch her move today and you see she can change her legs without it affecting her momentum. I am very happy and although she is better on softer ground, we can't complain - this is the track of the future - not too firm and not too deep.
"She has always raced freely, a bit too freely. She is better now but it is still her tendency. That's why I will never let Christophe (Lemaire , jockey ) ride her in the morning s . He always let's her go too fast!
But she is more mature this year and settled in very well. She arrived here two days earlier this time and that has also helped."
GROWL (AUS)
Worked 1200m on the dirt under jockey Craig Williams, driven out to come home in 23.2 sec.
David Hayes, trainer:
"He has been set for this race for a long time and we have had no problems with him. I think he is as good as Elegant Fashion (HK Derby winner, multiple international placed in HK) and I guess when Almond (Lee, HK trainer) takes him over after this race he will be a big chance for the Classic Mile and the Derby. "
Craig Williams, jockey:
"He was enjoying the first half of his work, but he was kind of lost looking for his Melbourne leg since he was going the other way round. But as soon as he got onto the correct leg for Sha Tin for the final 800m I was really happy. He is a very relaxed horse on his own like that, which David says reminds him of his Japan Cup winner, Better Loosen Up.
"It is difficult for a horse going the other way first time but David has done the work to minimise that problem and he is such a workmanlike horse that he will adapt."
ALEXANDER GOLDRUN (IRE)
Solid work on the dirt under jockey Kevin Manning, finishing in 25.7 sec.
Jim Bolger, trainer:
"She seems keen and sharp and fresher after a longer break this year and I'm confident that she is as well as ever in herself. She is very sound, has a great constitution and a great temperament and that's why she's still at the top of her game. She will work on the grass tomorrow.
"As for the race, she likes an even pace, the pace doesn't have to be too mad. I just hope they don't dawdle and kick on from half a mile out. I just hope we get a clear run and may the best horse win after that."
Kevin Manning, jockey:
"I'm very happy with her. She moved well and felt good to me. You can throw out her last run at Newmarket, it was over a mile, which is too short for her and the ground was all against her that day as well."
Cathay Pacific Hong Kong Vase
OUIJA BOARD (GB)
The seven-times Gr.1 winner cantered steadily on the dirt under work rider Jason Tate.
Robin Trevor - Jones, trainer Ed Dunlop's travelling head lad:
"She's thriving out here, if anything she's doing a little too well in this climate. She's putting on weight and is around 472 kilos, which is about six more than her racing weight in Japan, and at Churchill Downs for the Breeders' Cup. But that's not a problem. Frankie (Dettori, jockey) will ride her on the turf tomorrow, and that'll be it. She's as fit as a fiddle."
COLLIER HILL (GB)
Dean McKeown, jockey: "He did two nice 1400m canters on the sand today and felt fine. He will go on the grass tomorrow. We'll know more then."
SHAMDALA (FR)
Worked on the turf with Pride, her stable companion, and worked slightly the quicker of the pair, coming home in 25.5 sec.
Alain de Royer Dupre, trainer:
"She's in great form and I think can she do better than last year but I can't ignore the fact that the Vase is going to be a very tough race to win."
SCORPION (IRE)
Continues to impress in his appearance and work and, watching from trackside, his big-race rider Seamus Heffernan said:
"It's a very nice ride to have and I'm looking forward to it. His run in the Breeders' Cup Turf was very good after the lay-off and the lads say he has come on since then. He will work on the turf tomorrow or Friday when the boss [Aidan O'Brien] is here."
SONG OF WIND (JPN)
The Japanese St Leger winner worked calmly on the turf track for his jockey Koshiro Take. His is trainer's travelling-head lad, Kazuhiro Yamayoshi, commented:
"He has lost about 10kilos [22lbs] since he left Japan, but he is eating up well and this is a good sign."
CathayPacific Hong Kong Sprint
TAKEOVER TARGET (AUS)
The likely favourite for the Sprint worked well under Jay Ford, rattling off an 800m breeze in 47.5 sec, finishing in 21.4 sec.
Jay Ford, jockey:
"The horse is in good shape. He's put on a little bit of condition here, but his work has been good. My one slight concern is that that it will have been over two months since his last run in Japan and it would have been ideal to get a race into him just to sharpen him up. But that hasn't been possible, and I hope he'll be sharp enough anyway. We'll find out on Sunday."
MEISHO BOWLER (JPN)
Worked on turf, covering a final 400m in 23.1 sec.
Toshiaki Shirai, trainer:
"He is always a bit reluctant to work on the racecourse and he was like that again this morning. If he works on the uphill gallop at home, then he is never a problem. But his overall condition is good and he is very fit."
DESERT LORD (GB)
John Murray, travelling head lad to trainer, Kevin Ryan:
"He will have a blow on Friday with Desert Lord with his jockey Neil Callan riding."
BENBAUN (GB)
Steve Gaillard, travelling head lad to trainer Mark Wallace:
"He is very well. As good as he was when he was fifth in the Sprinters Stakes in Japan.
He was sixth, best of the foreign horses, in this race last year and that was after he missed the start so we think he can go better this year with a good draw."
RED OOG (AUS)
Joe Pride, trainer:
"He just had a light canter this morning. He is the sort of horse you don't push too hard on the track. I like to keep him fresh. But he seems well and I'm looking forward to Sunday."
ABLE PRINCE (HK)
John Moore, trainer:
"He worked well on the all-weather just there and he's fine, still himself. He'll go well but like I have already said, I think Takeover Target is the one to beat if he is as cherry ripe as he seems to be."
CathayPacific Hong Kong Mile
LINNGARI (SAF)
The South African-trained runner worked quietly on the dirt.
Herman Brown, trainer:
"I can't believe how well the horse has done since he got here. He hasn't left an oat in fact he might have done too well. He will have a strong gallop tomorrow morning and a good breeze up on Saturday. I think he is in pretty good shape."
MUSTAMEET (IRE)
Performed well on the dirt for jockey Declan McDonogh who later said:
"He looks great and feels super. This race has been the plan for a while and Kevin Prendergast [trainer] will be here tomorrow when he will go on the turf."
DANCE IN THE MOOD (JPN)
Easy work on the dirt for the top Japanese mare; later went for a paddock-schooling session.
Travelling-head lad, Tsukasa Uemizu, said:
"She was settled in the paddock ring but in a tense a bit on the way back from the paddock. I thought she wanted to run! Tomorrow 's draw may not matter too much because I think jockey will have her set close to the pace."